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Patriots quarterback Tom Brady led his team out for the start of the game accompanied by fireworks.

Elise Amendola/associated press

New England Patriots Minutemen actors fired rifles during the first quarter.

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Patriots running back Stevan Ridley picked up a first quarter first down as the Texans' Glover Quin tried to bring him down.

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Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker made a nice acrobatic catch of a pass from Tom Brady (not pictured) that was good for 25 yards and gave New England the ball at the Houston 4-yard line.

Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff

The Patriots' Brandon Lloyd celebrated his 37-yard touchdown reception against the Houston Texans during first quarter.

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Texans quarterback Mat Schaub (8) was sacked by Patriots DL Rob Ninkovich in the first quarter.

Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff

New England's Vince Wilfork (bottom right) forced Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub to fumble during the first quarter.

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The Patriots' Aaron Hernandez recovered a Stevan Ridley fumble in front of the Texans' Kareem Jackson and Darryl Sharpton during first quarter action.

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Tight end Aaron Hernandez (81) of the New England Patriots and safety Glover Quin of the Houston Texans went up for the ball in the first half.

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

Quarterback Matt Schaub wiped his face in the first half.

Jessica Rinaldi /REUTERS

Wes Welker (right) broke away from Houston Texans safety Quintin Demps during the first half.

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Brandon Lloyd was wide open as he hauled in a 37 yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady (left, pictured as they celebrated the score together) for the second New England score of the game.

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The Patriots' Kyle Arrington broke up a pass intended for the Texans' Lestar Jean during first quarter.

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Jerod Mayo stopped the Texans' Arian Foster for no gain as his teammate Rya Harris lost his helmet during the second half.

Steven Senne/associated press

Patriots safety Steve Gregory broke up a pass intended for Texans wide receiver Lestar Jean, top, during the second quarter.

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The Patriots' third touchdown came whenTom Brady hit Aaron Hernandez with a quick pass, and Hernandez sidestepped Texans defender Danieal Manning and walked into the end zone for a tocuhdown.

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New England's Aquib Talib broke up a pass intended for Houston's Andre Johnson during second-quarter action.

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After Patriots wide receiver Donté Stallworth beat Texans defender Brandon Harris, left, he hauled in a pass from quarterback Tom Brady (not pictured), eluded out defenders, and dived into the end zone for a touchdown.

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Tom Brady of the New England Patriots ran the ball for a first down against the Houston Texans in the second half.

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Texans fullback James Casey was flipped by the Patriots' Devin McCourty, but not before he picked up a 30-yard gain on a pass from quarterback Matt Schaub (not pictured) that gave Houston a first and goal at the New England 2-yard line and set up the Texans’ first touchdown of the game.

Elise Amendola/associated press

Donté Stallworth dived into the end zone while dragging Houston Texans defensive back Quintin Demps, right, after a catch and run during the third quarter.

Elise Amendola/associated press

Stallworth caught a pass in front of Houston Texans defensive back Brandon Harris before running it in for a touchdown during the third quarter.

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After scrambling to pick up a first down on the final play of the third quarter, an animated Tom Brady got up and howled as he demonstrably signaled first down himself.

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New England's Dont'a Hightower stopped Houston Texans running back Ben Tate during fourth quarter.

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New England's Brandon Lloyd recovered teammate Danny Woodhead's fumble in the end zone for a touchdown against the Houston Texans during fourth quarter.

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After the Patriots' Stevan Ridely scored a fourth quarter touchdown, he and fellow running backs Brandon Bolden, Danny Woodhead, and Shane Vereen (right) did a celebratory jump together.

Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick waved to fans after the 42-14 victory over the Houston Texans.